Blog 2 - Page 5 of 14 - AlexandriaWill

3 Tips to Picking Running Shoes

April 23, 2018

There are thousands of different types of shoes. Picking up a pair of shoe that may fit you takes a little bit more thought than just picking up any old shoe off the rack. Body shape, posture, foot style and exercise all are major factors in picking out the best shoe for your needs. Without the proper shoe, you could cause many issues such as back pains, knee problems and even be a result of an injury. Knowing what to look for in shoe will help your feet stay happy from heel to toe. Here are three tips to help you pick the right shoe. 3 Tips to Picking Running Shoes How do you sweat? A person training for a marathon verses a person training for a 5k often wear two different shoes. A running shoe is made for running specifically. Pick a shoe based on how you exercise the most and stick with it. Get a Foot or Gait Analysis. | It is important to know how you run, walk, and shape of your foot. There are many different options of shoes based on your foot needs. Head to a professional speciality store such as Luke’s Locker, Fleet Feet or try this online test with Brooks to find your foot signature. Know the different in your fitness and regular shoe sizes. After running on for several hours, my feet expand quiet a bit. Nothing is worse than running in shoes that are two small. Avoid this by knowing your fitness shoe size, which is often 1-2x bigger than your regular shoe size.

Cowtown Marathon Recap

March 1, 2018

This past Sunday, I had the awesome experience of running the Cowtown Half marathon! The Cowtown is one of the largest multi-event races in the state of Texas and was voted favorite marathon by Competitor Magazine readers in 2015. It’s held in Ft. Worth, Texas, which is about 30-40 minutes outside of Dallas. Not only did I get to complete my 7th half marathon, I ran it with a group of my running friends who are more like family. Check out my Cowtown Marathon recap and experience how I hang with my running crew. The Cowtown Marathon Recap Travel Information to the Cowtown Marathon I live in Dallas so I didn’t travel per say to the race. I wanted to offer tips since I do live in the city and in case folks want to travel here. The closet airport to Ft. Worth is DFW airport. Love field airport is at least a 30-40 minute ride away. That can be a pretty expensive uber for you so I highly suggest renting a car for the weekend. The city doesn’t have the best public transportation for most travelers so this is my cheaper and best option for most. I stay in Dallas and wished I would have gotten a hotel just to stay in Ft.Worth. I had my friends in town for the weekend so I was basically an uber. Tim is a dear friend and like a running brother of mine that is on the board of the St. Louis Marathon and is a Running Influencer there. Yal know I got manners and southern hospital so I picked him up from Love Field airport and showed him around Dallas. The City – Funky Town Ft. Worth is unique and folks that live there love, Love, LOVE the city. There is a lot to see and do in Ft. Worth but it’s very different than Dallas. You can expect cowboy boots, trailers and western stores every few miles in Ft. Worth. They are the true Western Texan over there. There is a lot to see in Ft. Worth so take advantage of walking around the various sections of the city such as Magnolia, Fairmont and Sundance. Places to Eat in Ft. Worth In Dallas/ Ft. Worth, we love to eat on a good patio. Patio’ing is a thing around here so you have a million options with great Southern food, craft and local beer, strong cocktails, good service and more in the warm weather. Here are a few of my favorites in Ft. Worth. Heim BBQ: If you can, get there early or be prepared to stand for a bit. This BBQ joint always has a line but it’s worth the wait. Nothing like some good old fashion Texas BBQ. Istanbul Bar & Grill: I am a big fan of Mediterranean food. Their baba ghanoush, and gyros are perfect anytime of the day. This location has a bar so you can grab a tasty beverage if you desire as well. Mash’d: If you can go for brunch, go!! They have a 14inch pancake called the “Manhole cover pancake,” which is stuffed with blueberries butterscotch chips. Yeah! It’s that serious there. Oh should I also mention the mixology bar and they serve moonshine??!! Gus’s Fried Chicken: It’s a Memphis-based spicy fried chicken joint that has juicy fried chicken and the best sweet tea ever! Nammi at the Farmers Market: Head over the Farmers Market and roam around. When you do, stop at my favorite food truck Nammi, which serves Vietnamese food. My favorite dish is always their veggie tofu tacos and basil lemonade. Tom Thumb off 7th Street: Sounds really crazy to put this on here but this Tom Thumb is like a restaurant. You can grab a drink at the bar and watch a game, order pho, pickup toilet paper and so much more in one store. This location is also right by a lot of other restaurants as well. Weekend Socials With My Running Family Friday Night Since Tim was in town, we ended up having a happy hour for him and my local running groups We Run Things and Pint Striders. Founder’s beer came out and gave some swag while chatting about a few local things with me. After that, we enjoyed beer, laughter and good times through the night. Beer is rather normal for us runners to drink as it’s technically just a bunch of carbs and we need it run. Saturday Night Saturday I opted to ditch the 5k and go for a walk with Tim and my other running friend Alex. We ended up wakling to the the Alamo Draft House, which isn’t to far from house, to go see Black Panther. I probably have seen this movie at least 5 times now and can’t stop still! Also this is my favorite movie theater and they had a great Black Panther food and beverage menu too! After that we showered and ran to the Black Marathoners Pre-race dinner. It was great time to just meet folks from all over the country before we lace up for the following day. I had a great time meeting al to of fellow runners who live in Atlanta and I will be seeing again in October at the Baltimore Running Festival. The Cowtown Marathon Race day started bright and early at 4:45AM and it was greatness. I made it there at 6am and was able to get a close free parking space and wait inside in the warm building. I didn’t start until about 7:30 because I switched to a later corral but let me say, all 9,100 of us truly enjoyed the morning jams and tunes while waiting. I always have a mantra song of each race, so for this race, Anita Ward’s Ring my Bell was it! The race was everything! This has been one of my favorite races and I truly mean it. It was really cool to start the race with my

Essential Fitness Gear & Run Happy Ambassador

February 9, 2018

Last year, I opened up about how running helped me with my depression, my work with the Black Marathoners, and even showed you guys what it took to cross the finish line of the New York Marathon recently. My passion for the running and health community is authentic and true no doubt. I have made a lot of big goals for the year. I am all about goal setting and just simply asking and working hard for what you desire. Last year, I was accepted into the New York City Marathon on the first try, which is super hard to do, I tweeted I wanted to know what it took to be a part of the Brooks family. If you guys have been following me, you already know I am a huge fan of their bras as well as I have been running in their shoes for countless years. A year ago, I tweeted about this moment and it is happening! Now with less than 3 months until Boston Marathon I am excited to share what is another dream come true. I am now a part of the Brook family as a #runhappyambassador. What is a Run Happy Ambassador? Until last year, this title/role was reserved for most elite runners and coaches, which I am totally not at all. Most elite runner – the fast ones – run a marathon (26.2 Miles) in less than 3-4 hours. I – Alexandria – ran NYC in over 7 hours. Yep. Child! I am more like an elite slow runner. HA! But, that’s the great thing about the Run Happy philosophy. It’s not about speed but about the heart. I am honest about being a runner who doesn’t fit the typical mold but that’s exactly why I run— well happy! Running has opened up so many doors for me including helping me battle depression and literally run happy. The words Run Happy remind runners everywhere why they fell in love with running in the first place. Foundational Workout Gear You Gotta Have I am a giver so I am even more excited to share that I will be able to pass along some benefits to you guys!!! So to celebrate, I decided to answer your questions about what workout gear should I invest in or what items you must have to get started when working out. I created a cool workbook book of the essential pieces you must have and to invest in. Having improper fitness attire is TERRIBLE! From incorrect sports bras to pants rolling down or tearing up while running, these are all things that will hinder you from getting active. Anywho, scroll down to see my pick and also grab a copy of the free workbook for details. And also get into these looks! Grab The Full Look Book Today! FTC: I received this gear complimentary as part of my Brooks Run Happy ambassador partnership and to produce this workbook guide. As always, all thoughts and ideas are my own. Yal know I keep it real. All images were shot by the lovely and talented Phoenix Michele Photography.

The Perfect Workout Puff

February 6, 2018

Working out and having a cute hairstyle can be considered an oxymoron to some. As a marathoner and when training, we often take race photos. I used to look terrible in my race photos but now I try to be at least cute. I might be tired and slow but I will have a cute outfit and make sure I am well kept if I can. Additionally, there is nothing worse than having my hair get in the way while running. Seriously. It sucks and hinders my focus. I keep my hair up in a very neat, simple yet practical puff or bun. It’s a method to the madness as it’s also moisturized and doesn’t move even as I completed the New York Marathon. Yep! Check out my video hairstyle of how I style my signature workout puff. Struggling with working out and keeping your hair in top shape? Are you spending more time on your hair than working out? Sign up now for the 1st Ever FitHair Workout Hairstyle Guide E-Series. In 7 days, you will learn how to manage your hair, tackle dry hair issues, and even save time and money through this series developed exclusively by me – your FitHair Expert Alex!

ELDERBERRY 101 | DIY Daily Tonic

January 15, 2018

Everyone is sick and or has the flu. With training, I cannot afford to have a single day dedicated to being sick. With my close family all having the flu, I had to quickly take action and boost up my immune system with my favorite daily elderberry tonic. Benefits of Elderberries Elderberry is a powerful antioxidant used for years to help fight diseases such as a cold and flu. Elderberry is known for its ability to boost the body’s immune system and is also a rich source of vitamins A and C, which are crucial in helping the body maintain optimal health. Elderberry may help treat cold and flu symptoms by reducing congestion and possibly making you sweat more. One study suggested that using a standardized elderberry extract, Sambucol, could shorten the duration of flu by about 3 days. It was also said to help treat the Panama flu epidemic in the 90s. Benefits of Echinacea & Goldenseal Echinacea used to be called a “blood purifier” and is considered one of the most effective for infections such as strep throat, infected wounds, cold and flu, bronchitis, and much more. Goldenseal is also known as a natural antibiotic, helps ease stomach issues, kill bacteria. It is often combined with echinacea and promoted as strengthening the immune system. Recommended Elderberries Products Below are a list of products I am using and or recommended. These are pretty good sources and brands that have been around for awhile. Sprouts Elderberry Syrup – Purchase locally at sprouts stores Gaia Elderberry Syrup http://amzn.to/2FFRa4m Source Naturals – Wellness Herb Resistance http://amzn.to/2EH5DMs Quantum Elderberry Liquid Extract http://amzn.to/2D4xYfa Gaia Echinacea Goldenseal http://amzn.to/2DcoWku DIY Elderberry Plus Syrup with Echinacea Goldenseal Here is my DIY Elderberry Plus Syrup with Echinacea Goldenseal. For my tonic, I use a 5:1 ratio of Elderberry to Echinacea Goldenseal. 5 drops per day x 5 days = 25 Drops of Elderberry 1 drop per day x 5 days = 5 Drops of Echinacea goldenseal I consume it when drinking daily a hot cup of tea or a glass of kombucha. Really simple and easy.

How To Soar & Stay Motivated for 2018

January 2, 2018

A close friend of mine recently asked me, ” What are some books, audiobooks and recommendations for staying motivated and uplifted?” It wasn’t long before I had a slew of recommendations because quite frankly, I am a self-help junkie. Instead of just sending her a long list via email, I figured I would pass along these tips to all. Reading, listening and writing are some of the best ways to get to soar and accomplish your goals but also stay motivated along the journey. Whether you are are just looking for some new books to get into or in need of some motivation for the new year, check out a few things I listen to to keep me motivated and going. Side-note: I couldn’t start this list without mentioning my book FitHair foundations. No matter where you are along the journey, this books is all about laying the proper foundation for a healthy lifestyle from the inside out. You can grab it on Amazon right now. Podcasts Here is a list of podcast I listen to every week. Podcasts are free so I try to soak up as much as I can from listening to podcasts each day. Some I listen to each day while others I tune in weekly or a few times a month depending on the topic. Joyce Meyer The Read NPR Elevation Church Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations Dave Ramsey Optimal Finances Daily Success Insider Books & Magazines My head is always in a book and it’s a great habit to incorporate. There is nothing like breaking away from technology and cuddling up with a good book at the beginning or end of a day. Below are a list of books that have helped me in the past and or some I continue to read to this day. The Mind Connection, Joyce Meyer The Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer Power Thoughts, Joyce Meyer Soar, T.D. Jakes The Alchemist The Richest Man in Babylon, George Samuel Women’s Health Magazine Entrepreneur Magazine The Dream Giver It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be Kingdom Woman, Tony Evans & Chrstyal Hurst StrengthsFinder 2.0, Tom Rath Wisdom of the Ages, Wayne W. Dyer You Have 4 Minutes, Rebekah Borucki Audible Books So, I broke this down into a separate list because the book list was getting very long. Ha! most of the books I mentioned above also are on audible or have an audio version. Anywho, here are a list of a audio books I also have listened too and recommend. Boundaries in Dating, John Townsend The Power of Intuition, Wayne Dyer Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo You Can Begin Again, Joyce Meyer Destiny, T.D. Jakes Manage Your Day-to-Day, Jocelyn Glei #Girlboss, Sophia Amourso You Are a Badass, Jen Sincere Power Thoughts Devotional, Joyce Meyer The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg Notebooks & Planners If my head isn’t in a book, a notebook and planner are always within hands reach. Writing down your goals and or your daily habits is vital for success. It’s important to keep track of your progress on your journey but also writing down items means you have some form of accountability. Here are a list of my favorite notebooks and planners. It’s a short list because I am super picky about what I write on so these are my faithfuls and never let me down. Day Designer Academic Planner Weekly Monthly – Blue Sky Collaboration Day Designer Notes – Blue Sky Collaboration Moleskine Classic Ruled Soft Cover Notebook Moleskine notebooks – any to be honest Greenroom journal with soft cover 300 writing prompts journal Black Marathoners Beta running journal (members get this)

Chickpea Mason Jar Salad

December 21, 2017

I am often asked what I eat for training for Marathon or on any given day. To be honest, it. varies but one thing that doesn’t change is my need to get some greens in my system each day. Every week, I try to end my day by eating a salad every day. It’s pretty easy to do and readily available anywhere but it can be very expensive if I am eating out and or time-consuming to make. This is why I am obsessed with making salads in a mason jar. It not only helps saves me time and also are very healthy and affordable. So, I figured it’s a great time to share one of my simple and easy recipes using chickpeas for a mason jar salad. Benefits of Chickpeas for Healthy Hair Chickpeas are a great source of protein and other vitamins and nutritions, which aid in strengthening your hair from the inside out. From hummus to salads, chickpeas are both cheap and a very versatile protein rich source. Additionally, chickpeas also help Control Hunger Reduce Cholesterol Helps Protect Against Heart Disease and Cancer Great Source of Fiber and much more! Directions for Chickpea Salads in Mason Jar Now that you know a bit more about chickpeas, here is one of my favorite vegetarian protein-rich salads complete with cooked chickpeas, veggies and a simple Italian dressing. It’s super affordable so feel free to get creative and use roasted vegetables, brown rice, quinoa, eggs and literally anything else. The possibilities are endless! I love making mason jar salads as part of my weekly meal prep. So here is a quick and easy way to make your own mason jar salads within a few simple steps. Drain, season and cook two cans of chickpeas. While chickpeas are cooking, add dressing to the bottom of the mason jar and prep veggies. Start adding ingredients to your mason jar in this order After the dressing, add the chickpeas, shredded veggies, tomatoes and then any herbs and additional seasonings or nuts you may want (hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.) Secure each lid and store in the fridge. Shake up the salad once you’re ready to eat, or you can dump/pour it into a large bowl if you prefer. You can add on a bed of mixed greens, massaged kale, Arugula or ditch the greens and eat as is. I prefer my mason jar salads not to have the greens in them. Mainly because it’s super easy to carry my Kale Queen mason jars in my pursue/bag and the greens stay fresher when not in the jar. That’s it folks! Let me know if you are excited to try it or obsessed with mason jars too?! Click For This Free E-Guide For More…. Want More? Signup For Your Free E-Book

Baltimore Running Festival Guide

December 7, 2017

In October, I spent several days in Baltimore, Maryland. The city is known for its harbor and famous crab cakes. I spoke about my quest to run two marathons within two weeks, and it didn’t go as planned. I ended up demoting myself from the full marathon to what’s called a bal-ta-mor-athon, which consist of running a 5k and the half marathon. However, I truly enjoyed myself and the city. If you are running the race or just coming to hang for the weekend, here is a travel guide of the city of Baltimore and the Baltimore Running Festival. So I wanted to share a race recap, travel tips and obviously things to see and do in Baltimore. Travel to Baltimore I travel by way of Southwest airlines straight into Baltimore main airport – BWI, but you can also travel into Washington D.C., which is about an hour away. Additionally, you can fly into Regan or Dulles and take either a train or rent a car to travel the hour distance to Baltimore. So in short, there are a few different ways go getting to B-more. I like BWI because it’s nice, clean and connects directly to the light train. I took the light train from the airport straight into the downtown harbor area for only $1.80!! It was a great way to see the city and relax my feet for 30 minutes. Unfortunately, on the way back due to leaving at the crack of daw, I had to take Uber to the airport, which cost me a little over $20 but it was a short 10-15 minute trip from my hotel. Getting around the city is very easy. I walked most places because they were within walking distance and when not Lyft, which has a more significant prescience in Baltimore during this time, was available within a few minutes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to take the bus, but the bus is free and very easy to navigate throughout the city. Hotels to Stay At In Baltimore While there, I visited several different hotels for an upcoming event I am planning with the Black Marathoners Association. My favorite hotels thus far are the Baltimore Renaissance Hotel by the Harbor and Hilton Baltimore. Baltimore Renaissance Hotel From amazing views of the harbor every time you wake up to their endless healthy breakfast buffet, this hotel is perfect for families and those who want to be within a few feet from most tourist attractions and less than a mile from Wholefoods.(Gotta be close to a store for last minute item!) Additionally, the hotel is connected to the mall, which may be great for some or not so great for others. I was tempted to do some massive shopping, but I didn’t! HA! I liked that the Marriott allowed guest to make reservations for dining at any time because there is nothing like wasting time for waiting around for a table. Additionally, their breakfast and bar for a night cocktail are great. I was able to make my own juice as I overlooked the harbor before race morning. The hotel is half a mile from the train and pretty easy to access for anything. Hilton Baltimore I stayed at the Hilton Baltimore, which is my top pick of hotels to stay at. It is currently undergoing some updates, but they have already started and should be completed by March 2018. I got a chance to see the newer rooms, which are amazing! The view is breathtaking because you get to look at the beautiful baseball stadium and some of the city skyline. Hilton’s customer service is unlike any hotel I had. Additionally, I liked the Hilton because I was close to several local bars (not tourist stuff), directly off the light train and could easily walk with 10 minutes to the harbor to meet up for drinks. Oh yeah, the food there is the BOMB! I had crab dip, salmon BLT, and beet salad; which everything I ate was so fresh and delicious. Dining Places in Baltimore Harbor Speaking of food, Where can I start! There are so many places to eat in Baltimore, and most of them are within walking distance of either hotel or a short 5-minute ride. I want to focus on most of the restaurants and dinning within the harbor area because I didn’t get a chance to eat at all the places but here are a few highlights of places to go. The Land of Kush – the Best Black vegetarian restaurant within walking distance of the hotel. Make sure you grab it and then some for the next day! It’s that good. Phillips Seafoods: Be careful, you can eat everything at this restaurant and want to continue to eat more. There are so many options, but I had the salmon salad; however, I will be back for their famous seafood mac and cheese. Hard Rock Cafe – Because I know some of you gotta grab the magnet and pins of each location. The Grub Factory – Great spot for vegans. Can’t make it? Then hit the grub hub for delivery to you. Pappas Restaurant – Known for the best crab cakes for decades. Additionally, Oprah listed them as one of her favorite things, so ya know if O’ says it then. Hilton Hotel: For a hotel, this food is the bomb.com. Get into the beet salad, which these pecans were like heaven or their crab dip. If you are staying there, they have tons of specials and goodies before and during the baseball games, which are across the street. Rita’s Frozen Custard – If you haven’t had Rita’s you are missing out. Nothing like stopping midday for some frozen homemade custard, Italian ice or any one of the countless sweets. There is one right in the harbor with fast service and loads of options. Other Vegan & Vegetarian Spots Close –Here is a list of other vegan and vegetarian spots close by. I

New York City Marathon

November 12, 2017

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. – Lou Last year, I made a goal to run the NYC Marathon and less than a year later, thousands of steps the journey and goal has been completed. My NYC weekend isn’t the typical weekend because I can never do anything basic. I am always extra with everything. Additionally, I am always representing the Black Marathoners or doing something for the organization so it’s never a dull moment in my life. Brace yourself, it’s a bit lengthy but I couldn’t leave out anything because it was packed weekend and it’s a dream come true! It’s a good read I think. So with that, here is my VIP NYC Marathon recap. Friday – New York City I Am Here I arrived in NYC Friday and basically had mapped out my day with going to hang out and tour the Women’s Health Magazine / Rodale office and then hit the expo and I did just that. The NYC Marathon is not a typical race as most because it’s an entire weekend event of stuff. You really have to be organized or you might just miss out on running the actual race. HA! Anywho, I had a packed weekend so here goes… If you don’t want to read then feel free to enjoy the video epic documentary with scores, scripts and more extraness on my youtube channel. Women’s Health Magazine / Rodale So Rodale owns some major magazines you probably read, one being women’s health but also runners world, men’s health, and Prevention. As a 2x Women’s Health Action Hero of the year, I wanted to finally meet the folks I had been working with for now a few years. It was a cool office and experience. It was even cooler as I got a chance to see the wall of magazine covers! NYC Expo So my goal was to do everything I could at the expo and avoid it on Saturday. I did just that. The expo is basically split into three big sections. Section one is the intro to the NYC where you get everything for the race, (bibs, VIP, etc.) Next section is the NYC Merch and New Balance – the sponsors. The third is full of the other vendors. There was a lot of NYC merchandise and it was very busy. Honestly, it was crazy. The expo can be overwhelming at times. I took breaks because I was so scattered brained and wanted everything but the way my pockets were lined up…. Yeah, Nah son. The lines weren’t too long for me, as I didn’t have a wait at all. After debating on jackets for an hour, I ended up getting a windbreaker NYC jacket because I knew it would look cool with my brooks NYC shoes and red is my favorite color. The next part of the expo is basically the other sponsored stuff and picture time. This also includes the section where you do the thank you wall. I loved this because it was really cool to see all the different nationalities and ethnicities that were represented. It felt like the Olympics and we were the athletes on opening day. I couldn’t just write just one thing but I wrote multiple ones because I am extra… After that, I hit the United section and obviously more and more picture taking. Also, they had a cool section to learn about “visualization” for running from Olympic athlete Meb Keflezighi. You can check out the video in my NYC Race recap, which was really helpful during the race. Once I learned a few tips about visualization when running then I hit up the general expo section for goodies for the race. (Really look at my video recap for details on this.) I met so many people and companies at the expo that it was kinda of a blur. The best thing I did at the expo was NormaTech system. They look like large boots that basically help with dynamic compression devices designed for recovery and rehab. Basically, you put the boots on and they are supposed to help you recover faster between workouts by reducing muscle soreness and improving circulation. I did this before and afterward my race and let me tell you it works! My feet were super sore from just walking, traveling and such. After 10 minutes sitting with it – the swelling was gone. The boots provided circulation to flow better and offered more oxygen. If you get a chance to try this at an expo please do! Anywho, I got a chance to do a lot at the expo, needless to say, I was there basically for hours. From getting VIP badges in the Blue room to picking up a complimentary custom pillow, I had a great time at the NYC Expo it was lit! After the expo, I watched the NYC parade. My phone was basically about to die so I don’t have any footage of it nor do I care. This race/weekend made me just live in the moment and just take it all in. It’s like that sometimes. … SATURDAY – Social Day In the video, I show you a better glimpse of the hotel I stayed it but I stayed in the DoubleTree in the Financial District in New York. It was right off the Ferry stop and very convent to all the trains in New York. I picked this location because I wanted to roll out of the bed the day of the race. Most of my friends had over an hour or so commute just to get to the Ferry stop due to the subways being packed. I had a 3 minute walk! I was able to enjoy some sleeping in a bit. Instead of going for a quick shake out run the day before like most folks, I just took a quick 2-mile tour of the financial district and grab a few

Affordable Supplements | Genuine Health

September 29, 2017

I am always on the hunt for new protein and supplements to use. Ther are so many to choose from and I know it can be overwhelming, thus, I will try to sort through all the crappy ones and only show you the ones that are worthwhile and while. I have written about probiotics and guy health before in my book “FitHair Foundations and also is one of my top five vitamins and supplements for healthy hair and body from the inside out. I am passionate about gut health so much that I dedicated an entire chapter of my book to breaking down this point. Gut health is the foundation for overall health and thus good gut health will help your body produce healthier hair. Probiotics help improve intestinal flora balance, inhibit harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. Fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, and miso are some options fo natural probiotics. – Alexandria Williams Since everyone is on a vegan kick thanks to “What the Health” documentary, I figured I would showcase a few vegan products that will aid in healthy hair and body from the inside out. Today I wanted to highlight a brand and product most folks haven’t heard of, Genuine Health. I have been using their probiotics and proteins for a little bit and really like them. I think they are a great option for many who are looking for an affordable vegan supplements line. About Genuine Health Genuine Health is a proudly certified B Corporation that develops researched-based natural health supplements to help nourish your body. The flagship product, Greens+, has been keeping people healthy and alkaline for over 20 years! The company believes everyone deserves a healthy, vibrant life – and a lean, well-nourished body is the best way to get there. The Founder and CEO Stewart Brown says; “Health gives you the ultimate freedom – freedom to live your life to the fullest.” Genuine Health started over 15 years ago in Canada with greens+, the original, research-proven superfood formulated by Sam Graci for energy & well-being. The company has several different products such as probiotics, multivitamin, and omegas to say the least. Today, Genuine Health has over 170 products and is sold in both Canada and the U.S.Most of their products are vegan and or leave out soy and wheat for those of you looking to reduces or are allergic to those ingredients. Take a look at the other products. Genuine Probiotics Advance Gut Health Genuine Health probiotics contain 15 strains carefully selected for their abilities to repair and restore. The strains are treated with the utmost care – in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment, they are cleaned to remove toxins and weak cells, ensuring that only the strongest and fittest remain. A vegan, delayed-release capsule with a fermented prebiotic ensures that strains pass through the stomach acid, taking 45 minutes to reach the g Probiotics & The Body I have already discussed having probiotics daily via food source or supplemental is vital to your hair but also your overall body. Here are a few ways how your gut health can be affected a variety of factors. Psychological factors, like stress, and sleep problems, have been found to reduce microflora. New research has found that just as we have sleep rhythms, so do our bacteria. Drug addiction and lack of physical activity have been found to alter gut microflora – less movement equals less diversity of bacteria in the gut! Antibiotics in prescriptions and in the food supply not only knock out select bacteria – once these bacteria have died, so do the others that were dependent on them. Environmental toxins, alcohol and tobacco have been found to alter the ratio of good to bad bacteria, causing what is known as dysbiosis, which translates to “life in distress.” Diet creates changes in the microbiome. Certain foods feed the good bacteria in our gut while others do not. What’s for certain is that we are eating too much of the not so good stuff and not enough of the good. Additionally, what I do like about them the most is that the probiotics are not a large size pill. This is major win for me!! Fermented Vegan Proteins+ The other product I wanted to highlight is the protein called fermented vegan proteins+. The protein is packed with a lot of guy health but also hair healthy foods that will help keep you healthy from the inside out. The fermented protein+ contains a variety of healthy ingredients but also is a great source of protein. It also doesn’t taste bad as I pair the chocolate with my homemade walnut milk recipes you guys know I love. Some of the benefits of the fermented vegan proteins+ are No bloating 40% more absorption to the body Strengthens gut health Contains 15g protein Non-GMO and gluten-free Contains essential amino acids If you want to know what I look for when picking out the right protein supplement, check out my post “3 tips for picking out the right protein supplement.” for a quick overview. Ingredients matter, so I always make sure to look and read my labels. If I can’t understand the products or ingredients then I am less likely to purchase. I love and fully understand the ingredients used in the protein. Cost of Products The cost of this the protein is $34.99 and the probiotics are $19.99. Both are very affordable for a supplement line that contains both soy and gluten free products as well as non-gmo ingredients. This is a Win-Win for me. You can purchase the product locally at Sprouts or online direct. Also, they are available at Vitacost, Iherb.com, Vitamin Shoppe and other locations. FTC: This post is not sponsored